Chelsea Manning: Under Pressure

"I often hear and read that many people all over the world consider me a ‘whistleblower’ or a ‘heroine.’ This experience can be a little intimidating at times. That’s an idea that would be a lot to live up to! I don’t feel like I can live up to the expectations of being a ‘heroine.’ I don’t have any special powers or abilities like a comic book super hero. I actually feel a lot more vulnerable than that. In fact, I am very vulnerable. I just try to be myself, and that’s all I aspire to be.”

“I was very shocked to find out that I was named on your list. I am very, very honored. I hope that this list helps us realize that we have all these different intersections between the different communities out there and in here that we can use to start to work together. We should really examine the way our society is set up in such a way that the most vulnerable among us are usually doomed to fail.”

“It means an awful lot to me — especially right now, when I have so many battles every single day...

“I think the major accomplishment of my life, so far at least, is that I am still alive, and that I am, still very optimistic about the future."

Chelsea Manning responds to being chosen as one of The Advocate's 40 Under 40.

Don't ask who else is on there...